We all know the stereotypes of someone who goes to therapy. For those who have never been, they probably envision it as a patient lying on a couch and talking about their problems to a bored person writing on a legal pad. I’ve often heard people talk negatively about therapy; some people assume that those who go to therapy are unstable or dramatic. In reality, talking to a therapist is normal, healthy, extremely common and can be life-saving.
I’ve worked with therapists off and on since elementary school. I started talking to psychologists at a young age and learned different ways to handle social situations and inner peace. The life of an awkward 4th grader can be difficult. At that time, we are learning to navigate society and the world around us. It was invaluable for me to be able to take time once a week for my own mental health and stability. It helped me form a sense of self-awareness and provided me with emotional tools that I could use whenever I needed them.
High school was tough for me (as it is for many). I was grappling with the difficult teenage years which, for me, included intense bullying and an alcoholic parent. As you can probably imagine, things got really hard. I started talking to my school therapist regularly, and she was there whenever I needed to vent or cry, needed advice or simply needed to have a quality conversation. She was a person who could listen to me without being biased or unkind. It was her goal to help me succeed and stay happy and healthy. In the tumultuous years of high school, having that kind of support system is precious.
In my case, therapy helped me overcome some extreme life circumstances. Due to bullying, I was sometimes seriously afraid and felt paralyzed in social situations for fear of being hurt or judged. I felt so lost and had no idea how to help myself. My therapist understood things about me that I didn’t even realize existed. She helped me to understand what was going on and create solutions for myself. To this day, the things she taught me and helped me with have transformed my thinking and sense of self. I have no idea how I would have gotten through high school without her.
While therapy helped me to deal with traumatizing experiences, it can help people in so many other ways. Sometimes, it’s healthy just to talk out a seemingly minor problem or experience with someone. I know many people who go to therapy even when everything is going well for them. Simply having guidance and support no matter what is extremely comforting.
What I wish I could help everyone to understand is that going to therapy doesn’t make you “weak,” and you don’t need to be going through something tragic to talk to someone. Life throws so many unforeseen challenges at us every single day, and it’s ridiculous to assume that we should be able to handle each one on our own. Therapy provides not only nonjudgmental support, but helps us to see new perspectives and hear ideas we might not have come up with on our own. I would encourageeveryone to go at least once and understand that anyone who sees a therapist is stronger and is probably a better person for doing so.
